Family medicine and practice in the Mexican Social Security Institute

• Main Authors: Donovan Casas Patiño, Edgar Jarillo Soto, Alejandra Rodríguez Torres
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medwave Estudios Limitada 2014-06-01
• Series: Medwave
• Subjects: medical practice; family medicine; structural functionalism
• Online Access: http://www.medwave.cl/link.cgi/Medwave/Enfoques/SaludFamiliar/5975

The central ideas of this research paper are related to the practice of family medicine as a specialty. It focuses in its origins, problems, unique characteristics, limitations, scope, management, and processes within the context of primary care of the Mexican Social Security System. This approach was based on a qualitative, hermeneutical study closely related to the Structural Functionalism Theory. Within this framework, medical practice is seen as an equation: Meaning = action + function/structure. This offers an approach to the understanding of reality through surveys and observations in five categories: identity, activity, purpose, values/norms, and power/relationship. The practice of family medicine is defined as a medical act in the Mexican Social Security Institute. This act is limited to a brief encounter and a prescription, which makes it a short, fleeting, medicalized interaction. The result is a negative social imaginary of the physician, the patient and the whole of society. Thus, individuals and society host a negative social imaginary bestowed on doctors and users of the health system.